KARACHI:
The Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, which is part of the Dow University of Health Sciences, has released the test reports of four suspected monkeypox patients, two of whom are Pakistani citizens and the other two are Somali nationals.
The results of the tests conducted on skin samples from all four patients indicate that the disease was not confirmed.
According to sources, the patients arrived at Karachi airport on Thursday and their skin samples were sent for chemical analysis the same evening.
The samples were tested using PCR technique, and the laboratory report was submitted to the health department on Friday. The report confirmed that monkeypox was not detected in the samples.
An advisory issued by the Sindh Health Services Directorate General earlier stated that the hospital administrations were required to establish a designated separate area with five to 10 rooms for isolation of monkeypox cases within 24 hours.
Read more: Two monkeypox cases detected in Islamabad
The area should include appropriate infection control measures including negative pressure, hand hygiene facilities, and personal protective equipment to provide safe and effective care for patients.
It added that it was imperative to be vigilant for detection of any suspected cases and ensure preparedness to launch response activities for curtailing the transmission of monkeypox disease in Sindh.
“If anyone presents with acute illness with fever >38.3°C (101°F), intense headache, lymphadenopathy, back pain, myalgia and intense asthenia followed one to three days later by a progressively developing rash often beginning on the face (most dense) and then spreading elsewhere on the body, including soles of feet and palms of hands and along with travel history of epidemic countries where monkey cases are reported [they are suspected cases],” it added.
“Therefore, you [state-run and private hospital administrations] are requested to support for the suspected monkeypox cases by sharing information immediately [with Additional Director Preventive Dr Saqib Sheikh Phone: 0300-2247244, email: [email protected]official address: Director Health Services, Civic Centre, 6th Floor, Hassan Square, Karachi; and Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit in-charge at the Sindh Health Services Directorate General Dr Muhammad Asif Syed, Phone: 022-9240106, Fax Number 022-9240100, 0333-2863477, email: [email protected]/[email protected] and official address: Director General Health Services Sindh, National Highway 5, adjacent Services Hospital, Phase 1 Qasimabad, Hyderabad]for timely and immediate required intervention at each level,” the advisory read.
It added that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had reported cases of monkeypox in 110 member states across all six WHO regions since January 2022.
“As of April 25, 2023, there have been 87,113 laboratory-confirmed cases and 130 deaths reported to WHO,” it continued.
The public has been urged to be vigilant for the detection of any suspected cases and ensure preparedness to launch response activities for curtailing the transmission of monkeypox disease in Sindh.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is similar to smallpox and can be fatal. The disease was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. The virus can be transmitted to humans from animals such as rodents and primates, and human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or respiratory droplets.
The Sindh health department has put its staff at the Karachi airport on high alert and asked them to wear protective clothing, masks and check the symptoms of monkeypox while checking the passengers.
If symptoms are found in passengers, they should be transferred to the isolation ward already set up at the Karachi airport.
To curb the spread of the virus, protocol services at the airports have been stopped. The health department employees will spray the luggage of passengers with germicide. Besides, they will also carry personal protective equipment kits.
Passengers departing to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah will be checked individually. The Civil Aviation Authority and Airport Security Force will enforce these guidelines.
#Mpox #detected #suspected #patients #Karachi
